Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1887-02-16
from The Bible Society Record.

In framing the Constitution of the
American Bible Society Its founders
provided that according to it's ability,
it should extend it's influence to other
Countries, whether Christian, Mo-
hammedan, or Pagan. At that time
the work of foreign missions was In
its infancy. Some earnest efforts had
been put forth for the conversion of
the Indians of North America, two
organizations had been formed on
this side of the Atlantic to send the
gospel to heather nations and a small
advance guard was knocking at the
gates of India and Burmah. But
Africa was dark continent to which
no access could be found, China was
encompassed by massive and inn
penetrable wall; the East India Com.
pany had but recently conceded to
American Missionaries the privilege
ofresiding within its jurisdiction; Of
the remote islands of the Pacific little
was known: no one hoped to persuade
the followers of the false prophet to
accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and
even nominally Christian lands had
hardly been thought of as accessible
to the heralds of an interrupted
christianity. But to the founders of
this Society, while thoughtful for
their own vast territory. it was given
to re-echo the words which came to
them from across the sea, and avow
their purpose of holding forth the
Word of Life for other lands than
their own. So through all these
seventy years it has been the aim OF
the managers to do their share of the
work of putting the holy scriptures
within the reach of all people of
whatever tribe or tongue. No ade-
quate summary of its work can here
be attempted, nor can results be
analysed and traced to their source.
It's money has been poured forth
freely, like the showers that water
the earth; and the sheaves which
have been gathered and the fields
now ripe for harvest and calling for
reapers give proof that the expendi-
ture has not been in vain. More than
third of its entire circulation last
year was in "other countries and
1t had almost twice rs many Bible
colporteurs abroad as at home. The
American churches are doing nobly
every year in sending living preachers
and teachers to foreign lands to tell
the good news of redemption. Some
two Thousand missionaries from the
United States are thus employed and
the map of the world is dotted with
the stations where they are holding
up the gospel banner. Nearly three
hundred thousand communicates are
gathered into the churches they have
founded. But every missionary needs
the printed gospel to confirm his oral
utterances. Every cQnYert needs to
be instructed in the book which au-
thenticates the preachers commission.
Every pupil needs to study the holy
scriptures which are able to make
him wise unto salvation. And in
many lands the printed book goes in
advance of the preacher, and prepares
the way for his explanations and ap-
peals. The churches which send forth
these missionaries to enlighten
pagan nations, to speak to Moslems
of q Sayiour's love, to win back to @
pure faith the devotees Of churches
which have fallen from the simplicity
ofthe gospel, have an interest in sus.
tanning the Bible Society and In keep.
ing up their contributions to its
treasury. The fact that the society ID
unsectarian that its province is limi.
ted 10 one well defined object, that it Ii
dear to all and commended by all
makes it important that ali the
churches should recognize it BY
regula ar and ample collections, should